(Untitled)

[g2modsquad]

There was dust here, layers of dirt coating the unused furniture, but some time ago, the dust melted away. The couches began to look new again. The kitchen cupboards replenished themselves and the plothole in the closet began spinning once more

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[nomatterwhere]

Jeremiah's barely paying attention to his surroundings as is -- he's entering the room backwards, crouching a bit, walking much more slowly than usual -- and the reason for this becomes obvious when, a few feet in front of him, toddles in a small, somewhat chubby child (about a year and a half old), still a little unsteady on his feet but looking confident in his approach. He has a shock of dark hair and two small, fluffy wings, the use of which he has yet to learn, and Jeremiah is looking at him as if he's the center of the world.

[painted_angel]

Jael has baby radar, okay, and its primary use is clearly to find any babies related to her -- plus, hunting up her favorite big brother is always important. "Jeremiah!" she exclaims, beaming at the two of them. "How are you? And --" here, she crouches down so that she's nearer to Ben's eye-level "--how's the biggest best nephew in the whole world?"

[nomatterwhere]

"Auntie Jael!" Ben exclaims in delight, his joy at seeing her making him topple (though his enthusiasm isn't diminished by this at all). He's getting to the point where he can distinctly name most of his family members, because Jeremiah's fully convinced that those are the most important words he needs to learn.

"Everything's wonderful, of course," Jeremiah replies, smiling just as brightly as his son (if with rather more teeth). "We're perfecting our articulation, as you can see. And Father's been keeping me busy with more new duties every year." It's obvious that, despite the fact that he looks a bit more tired than usual, he's thriving on the work, though.

[painted_angel]

If her smile can get wider, it does as she gathers Ben into a hug and kisses his forehead. "I can see that indeed. And that's what you get for being the only responsible one out of all of us," she teases.

[ramblingbrat]

The puppy Tori got years ago is now a sizable dog, healthy and active, and she runs through the living room minutes before Tori arrives, exploring for a moment before curling up near the couch, happy enough to rest her head on her paws and relax for the moment.

She is followed, eventually, by her owner, who's shaking her head a little at being found here again, but content enough, for the moment, to flop down beside her dog, ruffling her behind the ears, and stretching out on the carpet to watch the ceiling and relax in turn.

[pendergastmon]

Ryan walks into the room as well, narrowing his eyes at the slightly off-kilter lamp, HE IS GOING TO KILL IT WITH FIRE!! raising an eyebrow upon seeing Tori. It's not the normal way people usually greet their significant others, but - eh, normal is overrated and non-existent when it comes to Ryan Pendergast.

"This place brings back memories," he says flatly, leaning against the doorframe and crossing his arms.

[ramblingbrat]

She, of course, has a more conventional reaction, grinning broadly and sitting up upon seeing him. "I can see that," she replies wryly. "You're only using four words."

[pendergastmon]

He'll at least go over and sit down next to her, WOW, SUCH PROGRESS.

But then-- "Five."

Tori's most likely experienced in reading Ryan's reactions by now, and this one isn't even close to recalcitrant or moody. It's more amused; challenging, perhaps.

[notperseus]

Joash would be lying if he said he wasn't tired. Babies, it turns out, are a bit of a time-consuming prospect, particularly when there are two of them. Luckily, he's also so happy it's a little bit stupid, so if his face shows that weariness, it also has a smile on it as he makes his way into the mansion, concentrating on maneuvering the twin stroller in which the two eight-month-old babies are sitting.

True, he's distracted, but Joash would be thrilled to see people and to show off his children.

[plutonianangel]

Naturally, this means that his husband and the other father of his children won't be far behind, and his face will light immediately at the sight of all three of them. "Oh, look," he murmurs, positively delighted. "My family."

[notperseus]

Seeing him, Joash grins more broadly, reaching out to pull Phlegethon close by the elbow so he can kiss him. It's quick, so that he doesn't have to look away from the babies for too long, but firm and decisive. "Hi, you."

[plutonianangel]

He returns the kiss, of course, smiling brightly at him even as he's moving, almost automatically, to lift Anthony up out of the stroller to kiss his nose. "It's wonderful to see you," he says earnestly, as if he doesn't wake up next to Joash every morning.

[notthefurryone]

Spike strolls in completely casually, hands in his pockets, admiring the way the mansion's spruced itself up again -- there's a faint, amused smile on his face, and once he's done a thorough overview of the main room, he leans back against the wall, ready to curiously wait for what else there might be to be thrown at him.

[noneedtohurry]

That would be Sammy - though this is in a metaphorical sense rather than a physical one, since their relationship (??) has probably not reached (or will ever reach) that level of high-energy enthusiasm.

"Well," he says emphatically, punctuating it with a bright grin -- and then he interrupts himself by pretending to look down at something in his hands and check something off, "Spike Hawke-Next. I guess I win the scavenger hunt."

[notthefurryone]

Yes, while Spike is relatively demonstrative in his affections, it's not in any excessive manner -- though he'll go with this for now, crossing his arms and grinning broadly at Sammy. "I didn't know I was the final piece of the puzzle. Do you want your prize now?"

[noneedtohurry]

"You're like the missing 13-letter across themed clue in a crossword that you know will allow you to solve the entire puzzle if you figure it out, but it's something you know nothing about so you agonize over it for an hour and finally when you stop thinking about it, it strikes you, like a cool drink of water," Sammy says, cheerfully. "Crossing my analogies. Do I get another prize for that?"

[nooneinmytree]

Somewhat caught up in his current job, and in an awful rush, Nico looks startled upon discovering himself back in this familiar place again -- then slightly frustrated -- then resigned.

He sets the piece of paper in his hand down on a desk, turning to glance out the window with a slightly curious air. How long has he been gone?

[likemygstring]

Aaand someone will be grinning. "Blast from the past, huh?"

[nooneinmytree]

"Definitely," he says without thinking, but then as he turns around and sees who it is, his expression brightens. "Not all bad, though."

[likemygstring]

"That's obviously why I popped in too," she says faux-solemnly. "To keep it from being a hideous experience. Looks like it dragged you in from work, though."